A pivotal battle between the Union and Confederate forces occurred along the Big Black River, culminating in the Siege of Vicksburg in the American Civil War in 1863. Commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant, Union forces defeated Confederate troops under General John C. Pemberton at the Battle of Champion Hill. Grant chased Pemberton, who was headed toward Vicksburg. Pemberton left 5,000 troops to make a stand on both sides of the Big Black River after his Champion Hill defeat, while he withdrew with his main command to nearby Vicksburg.

Leroy Trailor Bagwell was also known as Leroy C. Bagwell. He was born in 1833 in Perry County, Alabama.1 He was the son of Furney Orin Bagwell and Parthenia Bayles.1 Leroy Trailor Bagwell served the CSA during the civil war in the 20th Alabama Infantry. While he was stationed at Camp Pineville, Louisiana he wrote a letter to his mother. In the letter, he mentions his sisters. A portion of this letter was published in the book "Looking Back" by Eugene and Dhale Love.

12th Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Camp Moore, Louisiana, in August, 1861. Its companies were from the parishes of Caldwell, Claiborne, Vermilion, Cameron, Calcasieu, Jackson, Ouachita, Bossier, and Iberia. Sent to Missouri, the unit was captured at Island No. 10 in April, 1862. After being exchanged, it was assigned to Rust's, Buford's, T.M. Scott's, and Lowry's Brigade. It fought at Champion's Hill and Jackson before participating in the campaigns of the Army of Tennessee from Resaca to Bentonville. In July, 1862, the unit contained 41 officers and 546 men, reported 11 killed, 57 wounded, and 5 missing out of the 318 engaged at Peach Tree Creek, lost many during Hood's Tennessee Campaign, and surrendered with only a remnant on April 26, 1865. Its commanders were Colonel Thomas M. Scott; Lieutenant Colonels James A. Boyd, Wade H. Hough, Noel L. Nelson, and Thomas C. Standifer; and Majors John C. Knott and Henry V. McCain. Thompson G. Bagwell died in October 1863 Killed in Civil War in CSA. Another report put his death on July 17, 1863 in Carter, Kentucky.

Oscar Alonzo Bagwell

M, b. 5 November 1864, d. 26 August 1938

Oscar Alonzo Bagwell was born on 5 November 1864 in Louisiana.1 He was the son of Leroy Trailor Bagwell and Tabitha Mitchell. Oscar Alonzo Bagwell married Mary Christine Scott in 1888 at Charleston, Delta County, Texas. Oscar Alonzo Bagwell and Mary Christine Scott lived in 1900 in Delta County, Texas. Oscar Alonzo Bagwell died on 26 August 1938 in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma, at age 73 Oscar Alonzo Bagwell was born November 05, 1864 in Louisiana; died August 26, 1938 in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma; married Mary Christine Scott October 07, 1888 in Charleston, Delta County, Texas; born February 14, 1867 in Louisiana; died June 17, 1943 in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma. He was the son of Leroy Bagwell and Tabitha Mitchell. The following obituary appeared in an Ardmore, Oklahoma newspaper on August 28, 1938.

FUNERAL RITES FOR O. A. BAGWELL O. A. Bagwell, for 10 years a mattress maker in Ardmore, died Friday after a brief illness. Funeral services are to be held at Harvey Bros. funeral home at 2: o'clock this afternoon. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Mary Christine Bagwell; two sons, B. A. Bagwell, Dallas, and R.A. Bagwell, Santa Rita, N.M.: four daughters, Mrs. Florence Cebo, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Sam Keith, Pampa, Texas; Mrs. W.L. Armstrong, Lubbock, Texas, and Mrs. Julia Lemitz, Tucson, Arizona, and by 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Bagwell came to Oklahoma in 1922, moving to Healdton from Pilot Point, Texas, and entering the mattress business. He moved to Wilson later, and on July 4, 1928, moved to Ardmore. He was born in Louisiana on Nov. 5, 1864. Caused of death Prostrate Cancer. He was buried August 28, 1938.1 He was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma.1